After going 0-for-5 on Friday in his first game at Coors Field since the Rockies traded him to Houston for Jordan Lyles and Brandon Barnes two years ago, Fowler finally remembered the high altitude as the Cubs took down the Rockies 9-5.

“I like triples. But my first triple, I was over there breathing hard,” Fowler said. “I told Nolan (Arenado), ‘I forgot about running here.’ So the next one, I braced myself for it. But I can’t slow down.”

Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles finished 2014 with a 7-4 record, one of only two Rockies starters with a winning record in 2014. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

A win-loss record is often a deceiving statistic, but in the case of Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles it’s a relevant measuring stick.

In season tainted by Colorado’s 96 losses, Lyles finished 7-4, showing some toughness on the mound. Lyles was one of just two starting pitchers with a winning record; the other was Jorge De La Rosa, who went 11-4.

Lyles missed more than two months of the season after breaking a bone in his left hand on June 4 while trying to tag out Arizona’s Martin Prado at home. Lyles had a 5-1 record with a 3.52 ERA at the time. He returned to make 10 starts, but notched only two wins as his ERA steadily climbed.

Houston Astros center fielder Dexter Fowler is congratulated in the dugout after scoring from third on a sacrifice fly by teammate Marc Krauss during the fourth inning of a spring exhibition baseball game in Kissimmee, Fla., Saturday. (Carlos Osorio, The Associated Press)

Dexter Fowler finally talked at length about his trade from the Rockies — and he belted back at Rockies management.

Here is the latest email to Colorado Rockies season ticket holders from owner Dick Monfort.

I’m offering it here as information only, without comment or any edits. Those of you who are not season ticket holders might find it interesting. I’ll leave it up to you to make up your own minds on the direction the Rockies are headed.

Dec. 16, 2013
Dear (Season ticket holder):

I want to wish you and your family the happiest of holidays. It has been a busy month for our organization. We went into the off-season wanting to add a starting pitcher, bullpen depth, and a corner/power bat. As far as starting pitching, we believe we acquired two above average, young, quality pitchers. Brett Anderson and Jordan Lyles fit our model of strong-armed and ground ball pitchers. The left-handed Anderson will likely move right into our starting rotation. Lyles will get an opportunity to develop in Colorado Springs and be an insurance policy for our starting staff. That being said, Lyles is a tough, strong-armed kid, who at 23 already has two years of Major League experience and I know his goal is to make our Opening Day roster.

The Rockies trade of Dexter Fowler did not sit well with a lot of fans. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Judging by the terse, angry emails I’ve received and the chatter on Twitter, Rockies fans are mighty ticked off about the club’s recent moves: trading Dexter Fowler to Houston for two unproven players — 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles and 27-year-old outfielder Brandon Barnes; and agreeing to terms with 32-year-old first baseman Justin Morneau on a two-year, $13 million deal.

If that’s all there is to the Rockies’ hot stove cooking (as well as the signing of reliever LaTroy Hawkins), then I can’t blame fans for roaring displeasure.

The Rockies search for Todd Helton’s replacement has left them focusing on Justin Morneau. Morneau is considered a strong defender, and a weapon against right-handed pitching. (Denis Poroy, Getty Images)

Justin Morneau won American League MVP honors in 2006. He finished second in 2008. He’s not that guy.

Justin Morneau won the Home Run Derby in 2008 at Yankee Stadium, something everyone forgets because of Josh Hamilton’s breathtaking performance in the preliminary rounds. He’s not that guy.

But can Morneau be a guy who helps the Rockies? It’s possible for a number of reasons.

First, he’s a realistic target. Unlike their failed bids for Jose Abreu (six-year, $63-million), Carlos Ruiz (two-year, $15 million with club option) and Brian McCann (unknown, but likely in the $60 million range), the Rockies are not competing with big market clubs for Morneau. No White Sox, no Phillies, no Yankees. At least not publicly.

The Cardinals would have to give the Rockies a reason to trade all-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. He fits their needs, but the Rockies aren’t pursuing a deal. They are only willing to take the call, and any traction will depend on the Cardinals’ willingness to include elite young pitchers like Michael Wacha, Trevor Rosenthal and Carlos Martinez (perhaps two of them) as the center of any deal that would also have to involve a position player.

It was a perfect night for baseball in St. Louis before Game 3. Prior to Game 2, the Red Sox had won eight straight World Series games, including a sweep of the Rockies in 2007. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)

ST. LOUIS — Todd Helton’s successor was briefly within reach last week, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the Rockies’ bid for free agent first baseman Jose Abreu.

The Rockies aggressively pursued the Cuban superstar. I reported last week that they placed multiple bids on the 6-foot-3, 250-pound slugger. The amount was unknown. This weekend, sources said the Rockies reached $63 million, just shy of the White Sox’s winning bid of six years, $68 million.

Rockies’ ownership gave clearance to spend the money on Abreu. It’s unlikely that the Rockies would reach $60 million on another free agent this winter. Abreu was unique because of his age — he’s 26 — and power. Given the success of countrymen Yoenis Céspedes and Yasiel Puig, he represented a worthy gamble.

The last time I covered a playoff game in St. Louis, this happened. David Freese won MVP honors, in large part, due to his breathtaking performance in the Game 6 win over the Texas Rangers. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)

The first World Series I covered was 2001. It was interwoven with brilliance and emotion, coming just weeks after the terrorist acts in New York City. I have never been at a sporting event like Game 3. President Bush threw a strike in the ceremonial first pitch, and you could practically feel 70,000 fists pump in the air with patriotism. It was a healing moment.

I will head to St. Louis this weekend for the middle games of the World Series. Each series is unique. Outside of the Rockies’ play-in game in 2007, the best game I have ever covered was Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. The Cardinals were down to their last out. And then third baseman David Freese ties it with a triple on a ball that Nelson Cruz gator-armed after inexplicably not playing “no doubles” (or deep to prevent exactly what happened).

Moments later, Freese walked off the Rangers. The same Freese who grew up in St. Louis, and whose friends razzed him for weeks after the Cardinals traded Jim Edmonds to San Diego to acquire him.

Carlos Gonzalez and Rockies trainer Keith Dugger leave the field after an injury. Gonzalez is trying a cortisone shot in his finger to see if he can avoid surgery.(Photo by Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

All-star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez received his first cortisone shot this season on Thursday, a last measure before deciding if he will undergo surgery on his finger.

Wilin Rosario is strong “like Baby Bull,” but he’s going to be riding the bench for a few days.

The Rockies catcher departed Tuesday night’s game against the Cardinals following his at-bat in the second inning. What first appeared to be just a cramp in his right calf now appears to be something a little more serious.

“I think it’s more of a strain now … as opposed to being just a cramp,” manager Walt Weiss. “It’s popped up on him the over the last few weeks, so I see him being down for a couple of days.”

Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario has hit 21 homers this season, but he’s going to miss a few games with a right calf strain. (The Associated Press)

That’s too bad for Rosario, who said he wants to finish the season strong. He’s hit well of late, raising his batting average to .292. He’s slugged 21 home runs.

Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton acknowledges the crowd in the second inning after announcing his retirement at the end of the season. (Rick Scuteri, The Associated Press)

PHOENIX — Todd Helton didn’t have any reservations about his retirement, a decision he first told The Denver Post on Saturday. He joked with teammates, ate a healthy breakfast — “I might get round when I stop playing, but I need to stay in shape enough to hunt,” he said — and addressed the media.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has not been able to swing like this for weeks. He last homered on July 20, his season sabotaged by a sprained right middle finger that compromised his power and eventually left him unable to swing a bat. (Associated Press file)

PHOENIX — You can tell it’s September. Pregame pressers focus more on the medical updates than anything else. The Rockies aren’t going to the playoffs, and with two more defeats will secure their third consecutive losing season.

The Rockies want to finish strong, something that has not happened since 2009. But they also need to keep some important components healthy. To that end, don’t be surprised if two-time all-star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez does not get another at-bat this season.

“That’s possible,” manager Walt Weiss said.

Gonzalez has been reduced to an overqualified defensive replacement since returning from the disabled list earlier this month. He has visited multiple specialists who have confirmed the sprained ligament in his right middle finger. Surgery is not a consideration at this point because there is no fracture involved. It’s likely CarGo will see another hand specialist at season’s end or if he’s shut down before that.

Starter Jorge De La Rosa (left thumb, index finger) struggled through a side session on Friday, and admitted that his thumb is more sore than it has been in weeks. He had an MRI on his thumb recently that revealed a sprain. The Rockies are debating whether to push back his next start. He’s scheduled to face the Cardinals on Monday at Coors Field.

Catcher Wilin Rosario, the right of his mouth screaming because on an infected wisdom tooth, is out of the lineup again for Monday night’s game against the Giants. Rosario, however, hopes to be in the lineup on Tuesday.

Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario has smacked 21 home runs, but he’s been slowed by a painful infection in his wisdom tooth. (Denver Post file photo)

“When I went to the dentist today, they did some things and cleaned it up,” he said. “Because if they didn’t, and they pulled it, I would have to miss five or 10 days and I don’t want to miss any games.”

Rosario said he would have his wisdom pulled after the season.

Although medication has left the catcher feeling a bit groggy, he said the pain was much less Monday than it was Sunday.

“The pain has gone down,” he said. “Before yesterday, it was like eight of 10 (on the pain scale). It’s starting to go down.”

Rockies veteran first baseman Todd Helton watches his solo home run during the ninth inning of Friday night’s game at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres. (Denis Poroy, Getty Images)

SAN DIEGO — For Todd Helton, 40 is the new 20-something.

Helton, who turned the big four-oh on Aug. 20, hit his 13th home run Friday night in the ninth inning, giving the Rockies a brief 3-2 lead over the Padres. The homer was Helton’s fifth since Aug. 26, making him one of just four big-league players to hit five home runs during that span. He’s managed to swat those five homers in just eight games.

Asked what’s brought on the recent power surge, the typically self-effacing Helton said: “I don’t know. It’s just that I’m swinging hard, hoping for a sound and every once in a while I’m hearing it.”

Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler slides safely into third for a triple earlier this season. Fowler started for the first time since Aug. 26. (Morry Gash, The Associated Press)

Dexter Fowler started for the first time since Aug. 26. His sore left knee is better, but he said he still struggles moving laterally. That surfaced in the eighth inning, creating a costly out. With the Rockies trailing by a run, Fowler had a good lead off second base, but was doubled off when Troy Tulowitzki lined to shortstop Nick Punto.

Rockies second baseman Josh Rutledge has terrific athleticism. Now he need to regain his confidence in the field and at the plate. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Josh Rutledge began the season as the Rockies’ starting second baseman, with projections by some that he would be an impact starter for years to come. I was one of those who was sky-high on the 24-year-old from Alabama.

But Rutledge struggled early this season, first at the plate (.211 average, .271 OBP), and then in the field. That led to his being sent down to Triple-A Colorado Springs after playing in 67 big-league games. Now’s Rutledge is back as a September call-up and is supposed to be available for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Reds. Rutledge played for the Sky Sox Saturday night in Fresno, so he had some travel ahead of him today.

Manager Walt Weiss still believes that Rutledge has the athleticism and the baseball tools to be a special big-league player. Rutledge tore up Triple-A pitching, hitting .371 with a .444 OBP in 38 games. In his last 10 games before being recalled, Rutledge hit .500 (15-for-30) with a homer, five doubles and nine RBIs. Now he needs to show the Rockies, and himself, that he can handle major-league pressure.

I think I’m ripping off former CBS News anchor Dan Rather by using that analogy, but what the heck.

Rosario, the Rockies’ 24-year-old catcher is proving that his rookie season was no fluke. Rosario hit .270 with 28 homers and 71 RBIs last season. Entering Saturday night’s game against the Reds, he’s batting .294 with 20 homers and 72 RBIs.

He’s sizzled in August. After going 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored Friday night, Rosario hiked his monthly average to .356 (32-for-90). He’s cranked out five doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs. His .933 OPS (.356 on-base percentage, plus .578 slugging percentage) is excellent. His 20 RBIs in August are a career high for a single month.

After riding out some tough stretches early this season, Rosario is back in a groove.

The Rockies’ Friday lineup doesn’t feature Carlos Gonzalez. He could start as soon as Tuesday after a short rehab assignment. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post).

Carlos Gonzalez is tired of watching. His sprained right middle finger isn’t perfect, but it’s better. Only a a few months of inactivity will provide ample healing time. The two-time all-star, however, wants to help the Rockies finish strong for the first time in three years.

Gonzalez mapped out his rehab schedule for The Post. He flew to Fresno on Friday night, will play seven innings for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday and full games on Sunday and Monday. Without any setbacks — and there are no guarantees since the finger flares up on awkward swings, typically against left-handers — Gonzalez plans to start for the Rockies on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Rockies starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin is congratulated by teammates at the top of the dugout after finishing the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants Wednesday night at Coors Field. (Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)

Greetings from Coors Field where I just witnessed one of the more entertaining games — and postgames — I’ve experienced in quite a while.

I really thought Jhoulys Chacin was going to pitch a no-hitter. I really did. He was that good, and even the single that Brandon Crawford lined to center field with two outs in the seventh wasn’t hit that hard.

Newspaper deadlines, being what they are, even in the digital age, didn’t allow me to get a lot of this in my game story. So here are some late-night quotes, notes and details from the Rockies’ 5-4 victory over the Giants Wednesday night at Coors Field:

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.